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2.26.2009

Replacement value of $800 Commonwealth dollars. (Photos are currently unavailable because my husband has already commandeered this chair for his own dignified uses deep within the man-cave. But if you ask really nicely, I bet I could get some photos for you.)

You, too, can have your own piece of Virginia History, with a $100 gift to the Capitol Foundation.

Not digging the idea of lugging around one more piece of furniture? Why not inscribe a brick? That way you get to leave your mark, and then walk away.

2.24.2009

Now I've started a 'knitting bag' - meant for carrying around smaller projects. I'll post progress updates as they are warranted. I expect a couple more orders soon, though, so I don't expect to be monogamous to this project in the interest of making money.

2.23.2009

I always have a point to have chocolate squares or nuggets or something in a candy dish within reach. I do this for two reasons. 1 - I love chocolate, and it's a great pick-me-up. 2 - when I have chocolate readily available, I don't crave it as much and I actually end up eating less. No more running to the CVS and inhaling the first giant-size bar I can get my hands on. It's like that children's book, Sleeping with Bread, minus the desperate struggle for survival and whatnot.

What do you like to snack on when you watch a movie?

Either popcorn (REAL popcorn, not the microwave stuff) or a bowl of cereal. Right now I'm into Cap'n Crunch, although I feel a Raisin Bran kick coming on.

If you were a Survivor contestant, what would be your luxury item?

I am WAY too hip to watch Survivor OR to grasp any allusions to its workings. (Also...doesn't the concept of a luxury item defeat the purpose of Survivor? I've never seen an episode, but really...I'm just saying is all.)

2.22.2009

Things are shaking around us. People are snapping. Money has come into hyper-focus. Am I the only one on negativity overload? Read this, and breathe. You, I, we, will get through this. Have faith.

May today there be peace within.May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love thathas been given to you.May you be content knowing you are a child of God.Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.It is there for each and every one of us.

2.20.2009

From 3rd to 8th grade I went to a private school run through my church. Part of this meant I had a uniform, and part of the uniform could include a school sweatshirt.

I have never been one to check the weather - unless, of course, we are in a heat wave, and I am obsessing over the exact moment in time at which point the heat index might fall BELOW a hundred degrees... But for the most part, I base my clothing decisions each morning on how the weather was the day before, and then learn about the weather as it occurs around me. And I've always been this way. And it doesn't always work out nicely. And I never learn!

The first memory I have about being dressed-appropriately-challenged was during one winter while I was in middle school. It was somewhere between fall and winter, and we were outside at recess. Most of the girls were standing in a circle trying to decide what game to play. I had on a short-sleeved shirt, and after a few minutes of deliberation I was shivering. One of my friends offered me her sweatshirt, but she said that once she got cold, she'd want it back. I gratefully accepted.

A few minutes later, she made good on our deal, and asked for it back. I returned it to her, and she went on her merry way.

This might have been an unusual situation for kids growing up in the south. It's not uncommon for kids to pay no attention to the weather when they're dressing - that's not what I'm referring to. What I'm struck by is her deep-rooted inclination to take care of herself, in direct opposition to our southern upbringing. Southern women, and maybe Christian women (at least the more conservative and/or evangelical breeds) in general, do whatever it takes to make the people around them feel comfortable, even if it means suffering some discomfort themselves. It's a typical woman thing, typical woman thing, to do. We put ourselves last. You know how it goes.

So how did she, a self-assured 11-ish-year-old, not succumb? What did her parents do right to instill a healthy sense of self-love? And what can I do to encourage this same practice in myself?

2.16.2009

Of all your favorite foods, which one would you find the most difficult to give up for the rest of your life?

This one's easy. Chocolate. Not many days go by when I don't wish for chocolate. Close second would be 'good New York cheesy pizza.'

Which month of the year do you think best describes your personality?

March. Still cold enough to be grumpy and wanting to hibernate, but with some snatches of fun every now and then.

If you could be a contestant on any game show, past or present, which show would you pick?

When Marcus and I were little, we watched this cool sibling gameshow too. I don't remember what it was, but it was almost like the newlywed game but for siblings. And it ended in this crazy shopping spree for all these fancy toys. What could be better???

2.05.2009

See, Brian and I don't have a lot of money right now. So one of the things we do to compensate is keep our house slightly cooler than 'comfortable.' when the heat is 'up' it's on 62. When it's 'down' during the night, it's hovering around 55 (and the electric blanket is on HI). It works for us.

The first time we got an oil deposit of 100 gallons, it lasted nearly two months. High Five! We refilled sometime around New Years.

Last night, we were walking around and realized it was pretty chilly inside. Turns out, we'd already burned through our 100 gallons, plus the teeny bit of reserve...a week or two earlier than expected. OOPS. That means, NO HEAT. On a very cold night.

I woke up this morning to a house reading at 18.1 degrees outside and 44.7 degrees INSIDE.

2.04.2009

BOSTON – A lesbian couple who led the fight for gay marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce. Julie and Hillary Goodridge were among seven gay couples who filed a lawsuit that led to a court ruling making Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriages in 2004.

The couple became the public face of the debate in the state and married the first day same-sex marriages became legal.

The divorce case was filed last week in Suffolk Probate and Family Court and was not unexpected. The couple announced they were separating in 2006.

Messages left for the Goodridges were not immediately returned Tuesday.

2.02.2009

This one's a toss up between Brian Adams and Brian McKnight...two of their greatest hits albums. I got each of these albums for one song (Summer of 69, and Anytime)

I used to have Meatloaf's (greatest song ever) Confessions by the Dashboard Light. I miss that song....Brian doesn't, I'm sure.

How much time do you spend each day in your commute? (Or if you don't work outside the house, how much time do you spend in your car or other preferred mode of transportation?)

Not long! I'd be an unhappy camper if I had a long commute. Right now I'm working downtown, and I'm not in the car more than 10 or 15 minutes. That's about as long as I can handle without feeling like I'm wasting my life. I generally have another 5 or 10 minute walk from the deck to the building - and then a 5 or 10 minute wait on the elevator, because the of the 6 main elevators in the GAB, only 2 go to the floor where I work. Most people don't seem to realize this.

What's your favorite wardrobe item and why?

I have these grey round-toe shoes with kitten (short) heels. They have black and silver embroidery and these dark silvery-black sequins. Hard to describe...but so fun to wear. I got them on ebay for 99 cents (and $15 shipping, har). Sadly, they're starting to fall apart and I haven't been able to find an appropriate replacement. I've never seen anything like them. LOVE.

Hi, there!

I'm Ashley, a single mama to a darling little boy, trying to find my stride in everything from sleep training and lentil soup to knitted socks and theology. Join me as I do some wondering, some reading, a little bit of pot-stirring, and LOTS of praying. St. Theresa of Avila puts it nicely: The feeling remains that God is on the journey too.